The Chicago Cubs will try to bring out the brooms this afternoon, with a three-game series sweep against the Texas Rangers on the line.
Chicago has been getting it done by battering Texas’ pitching staff, including a 10-6 whipping on Tuesday. However, our Rangers vs. Cubs predictions are backing the sweep as Shota Imanaga takes the mound.
Check out our free MLB picks for Wednesday, April 9, below.
Rangers vs Cubs prediction
My Rangers vs Cubs best bet: Cubs -1.5 (+135 at Caesars)
The Chicago Cubs are baseball’s highest-scoring team, with their 94 runs clearing the second-place Yankees by 16. Their 6.71 runs per game ranks second to just New York, who has played three fewer games.
Chicago has won seven of its last eight games and has plated at least seven runs in all but one of those contests. Each of its wins during this streak has been by at least two runs.
The Texas Rangers had been ripping it up before arriving in the Windy City, riding a five-game winning streak and opening the year at a crisp 8-2. But the wheels have come off, as they’ve been outscored 17-6 over the two losses to the Cubs.
It won’t get any easier in the finale for the Rangers, as they’ll face Chicago's lefty stud, Shota Imanaga.
He’s 2-0 in three starts this season and has been outstanding in back-to-back wins. Imanaga scattered four hits across 7 1/3 innings against the Padres in his last start, giving up just one earned run while fanning four.
That followed another gem against the Diamondbacks, going seven strong, allowing just three hits and another earned run, while striking out four. Imanaga’s 0.98 ERA is a Top-10 mark in baseball, and he's done it against good lineups, taming the Dodgers in addition to Arizona and San Diego.
Texas will hand the ball to righty Tyler Mahle. The 30-year-old is coming off his first win of the season, pitching five innings of one-hit ball, giving up no earned runs, and striking out five. But Mahle has barely pitched over the last two years due to injury and hasn't been particularly effective when he has.
Chicago has won three straight in this head-to-head, and the offense should carry them again in a big way.
Rangers vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cubs -1.5
Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 total bases
Shota Imanaga Over 5.5 strikeouts
Seiya Suzuki has been a hit machine in this series. On Monday, he went 2-for-3 against the Rangers with a run and an RBI. He stayed hot Tuesday with a 3-for-4 evening, driving in a pair and scoring a run.
Suzuki has only faced Mahle twice in his career, but he hit a solid .286 against righties last season, so the same-side platoon doesn't appear to be as big a disadvantage as it otherwise might be.
Despite his early season dominance, Imanaga hasn’t been the K’s, going Under that total in all three starts on the year. Going back to last year, he’s topped that total just once in his last six outings.
However, in his short time in the majors, he’s only ever gone Under 5.5 strikeouts in three straight starts once. Texas doesn’t strike out much, but Imanaga’s funky windup should be hard to pick up.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Cubs odds
Rangers vs Cubs live odds
Rangers vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: Texas +130 | Chicago -155
- Run line: Texas +1.5 (-160) | Chicago -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)
Rangers vs Cubs trend
Texas has six straight vs National League opponents with a winning record. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Cubs.
How to watch Rangers vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, 4-9-2025 |
| First pitch | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | RSN, Marquee |
| Rangers starting pitcher | Tyler Mahle (1-0, 1.35 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Shota Imanaga (2-0, 0.98 ERA) |
Rangers vs Cubs latest injuries
Rangers vs Cubs weather
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